Year End Review: #1 Color Favorite

2010 comes to an end with a dark overcast sky and rain to follow. Winter in Indiana is not often sunny with a clear blue sky. Time to recall those bright warm days of summer. Flowers and green grass (till August!) are the norm. May 2011 bring you and your family joy and happiness. Take care, will post some new images in the coming days. (click on image to enlarge)

Year End Review: #2 Color Favorite

A message from Columbus Grove, Ohio. In 2010 local, state and federal politics have been a hot Midwest topic. In addition to the two major political parties, we have seen a rise in groups like the Tea Party. Indeed in this part of the world, they are vocal, heard and deemed important. (click on image to enlarge)

Year End Review: #3 Color Favorite

The empty and for rent Peru, Indiana storefront is typical of many of the 215 images posted this year. The Midwest has been hard hit by the economic downturn of the last few years. Many businesses have closed, buildings empty and unused. Indiana, with around 10% unemployment, has been especially hurt. Federal, state and local budgets are being cutback. Services are reduced or cut off. Not quite the 1930's but still not a "fun" time for a lot of folks. (click on image to enlarge)

Bin Time

For some three years I have been wandering about the Midwest and in particular the state of Indiana. These journeys have produced a rather large number of images. Several posts have included many of these. Now comes the hard part. Now it is time to review and select. Lots of questions with many valid and varying answers. Black and white and/or color? If black and white, digital (dry-lightroom) or analog (wet-darkroom) printing? Just Indiana? Midwest? Both? After all, Indiana is in the Midwest! Themes - Religion/Decay/Closed and Empty/Used and Recycled/Hard Times/etc...... . Presentation? Book and/or exhibit. Sequencing and sizing- perhaps different depending on the presentation. The fun part-image making- is almost over (the fat lady is warming up!). Now comes the tough part. The real questions are: Who, What, Where, Why. In short, have something to say and find a form to express it. Will attempt to post, however my main focus (bad word choice) is what is in and what is out of the bin. (click on image to enlarge)

Lost in the Midwest: Arcanum, OH. Elevator

Located just outside of Arcanum, Ohio is one of the few remaining local elevators. Many have been closed and/or abandoned and/or torn down. (click on image to enlarge)

Glen Miller Park

Taken shortly before the 5+ inches of snow arrived in Richmond, Indiana. (click on image to enlarge)

Lost in the Midwest: Schoolhouse Barn

This -near Eaton, Ohio - is one of the images that I am using to compare analog to digital printing. This is a 35mm film capture - taken on a late afternoon summer day - of a rural school that has been converted into a barn. In this case the darkroom print was the winner. The silver print showed a wider range of tones - especially in the highlights - which gave the picture a lighter feeling. The inkjet image appeared to be sharper - perhaps too sharp! As the testing continues, the darkroom prints are improving and often excel over the digital prints. (click on image to enlarge)

Looking Becomes Seeing

While in the darkroom printing Richmond City Building-yesterday's image-noticed an interesting reversal. Invert and flip the image and a new reality appears. Roof becomes floor and sky changes into ground. The original presentation is a rather closed image-viewer remains contained in the picture. The new presentation is an open image-viewer is allowed to project beyond and out of the picture. Aside-this is the first time that I have been able to produce an analog image that is "better" then the digital print. Film, chemicals, photographic paper and darkroom equipment are beginning to come together. (click on image to enlarge)

35 mm Film Test

Richmond City Building. This was taken with Ilford Pan F film. Have been searching for a replacement for the discontinued Kodak Pan X film. Believe that the Pan F film will work. This film seems to produce better tones and sharpness-for my way of working-in Ilford's Perceptol rather than Kodak's Xtol developer. This would imply stocking two developers rather than one. Minor problem that can be solved-just more bottles on the shelf. (click on image to enlarge)

Darkroom Postscript 2

Getting near the end of furnishing out the darkroom. The new - to me - 35mm enlarger needed a timer to control exposures. After opening a couple of boxes, found the Varimatic 1500 Automatic Timer. Four days after finding the timer, finally found the instructions. They were hidden away in a file containing information on processing film! Now I haven't used this instrument for maybe 15 or so years. No idea as to how to set it up and how to use it. Started reading the users manual. This tool was manufactured by a company located in Amsterdam, NL The manual is 20 pages of details about the 1500. Reading along, came to this sentence:

"Start the densitometer function, by pressing the MEASURE key, while holding the STAR key down, like a typewriter shift key." Like a what - typewriter shift key? Notice no reference to a computer keyboard. Next step is to set up the Varmatic 1500 and give it a go. Check back for the results. (click on image to enlarge)

Darkroom Postscript 1

O.K. changed my mind! Will do 35mm black and white film printing again. After many-many-many cups of tea/coffee and several miles of walking about, decided to bid on a Leica V 35 enlarger. The enlarger was being sold by a camera store 35 miles from home. This meant that if I won the auction I would be able to go and see the enlarger before I paid for it. Yes, with much last minute bidding and quick typing, I won in the last minute of the auction. Next day was a travel day to see what exactly I had won. Was clean, complete with instructions, in original container and appeared to be unused. Yes, it fit in the car and home we went. Speed reading the set-up details led to the assembly and placement in the darkroom. Then -bad news- no power cord! Strange, but somewhat familiar power socket on the enlarger, and no cord. Quick phone call solved the problem. Did I have a computer? Yes. Seems the power cord is the same as found on a desk top computer. Who knew! Found a cord from an unused computer and sure enough it worked. (Store sent me another power cord in two days.) This is an enlarger that probably was new in 1983 and the same power cord that we use today was used at that time. The last couple of days have been spent in the darkroom getting to know and understand this new tool. After some three days and too many pieces of photographic paper, beginning to produce acceptable images from my new friend. Check back for the next darkroom installment. (click on stock image to enlarge)

Film Test: Kodak TMax 100

I have a certain subject matter that I use to test film. Have photographed the Campellstown Elevator a number of times over the years. This time using TMax 100 film. After developing the film then scanned the negative and ink jet printed the scan to use as a reference for the darkroom print. Now off to the darkroom to make a print. Check back for the results. (click on image to enlarge)

Black and White Film

Now that the darkroom equipment and materials are under control , it is time to select a couple of black and white films. As with photographic paper and chemicals, my usual film choices are not manufactured or changed from the last time I used film. For many years Kodak's Pan X was my film of choice. It is no longer available. My other most used film was Ilford's FP4. It is now (improved?) FP4 Plus. After a bit of research, decided to give Ilford FP4 Plus and Kodak 100 TMax a trial. Neither of these replaces the the Pan X film. The next few days I will be testing these two films. Will also - when a few rolls arrive - test the Ilford Pan F film. This could be a replacement for the Kodak Pan X film. Check back for results. (click on image to enlarge)

Wall Writing

Bit of "art work" here in Richmond, Indiana. Took a day off from the darkroom and did a "walk about". Now that the weather is turning cool, will return to the darkroom and further testing. (click on image to enlarge)

Darkroom Update 7

After some time in the darkroom making a few test prints we have - Good news/Bad news. The Good - chemicals and paper worked well together. The Bad - the enlarger is NOT aligned! After a couple of hours with allen wrenches and a laser tool, the enlarger was still not aligned. Time out for a huge cup of coffee, then off to a lumber store for a two square piece of 3/4 plywood. This is now the baseboard for the enlarger. Using the three wood screws - as before - the enlarger is NOW aligned ( I think!). Next - back in the darkroom to make more test prints. Check back for the results. (click on image to enlarge)

Darkroom Update 6

These are my selected print chemicals. Only the paper developer - LPD - remains from my earlier - 10 years - darkroom work. The stop bath - eco pro - and the fixer - Arista - are new and most importantly, odorless. In the past I used Agfa photographic paper. This product is no longer available, as Agfa is out of the photographic paper business. After much searching/reading/e-mailing others, I am going to use Adox MCC 110 paper. Turns out that the paper is coated using the old Agfa machines. The only claimed difference between Adox and Agfa is the base on which the coating is applied. The old paper Afga base is no longer manufactured. The new Adox base is said to have a bit colder and less warmer tone. Of course, this will depend somewhat on the developer being used. Time to get in the darkroom and get to work. Return in a day or so and check out the results. (click on image to enlarge)

Darkroom Update 5

After the "dry run" a few changes ( see Darkroom Update 2). Right to left- Static Brush, Enlarger, Lamp Control (on large red crate), Timer (on small red crate) and Focusing Control. Yes I am left handed! This arrangement seems to be efficient and enjoyable to use. Next will turn out the lights and attempt to make a few prints. Check back for the next update. (click on image to enlarge)

Darkroom Update 4

Four negatives have been chosen, scanned and ink jet printed. Included is a 6x9 Ilford FP4 film negative(upper left); 6x7 Agfa 100 film negative (upper center); 6x7 Ilford FP4 film negative-developed in Pryo (upper right); 4x5 Ilford FP4 negative (lower center). At this time these formats are the ones that interest me most. Notice that 35mm is not included. While I have many 35mm negatives to choose from I am not - at this time - interested in using them in the darkroom. This may change at a later date. The next step is to do a darkroom "dry run" with these negatives. The "dry run" will allow the checking of darkroom equipment placement. Everything needs to be located in a manner that will make the darkroom time enjoyable and efficient. Check back for the next update. (click on image to enlarge)

Darkroom Update 3

The enlarger is now aligned! Took some three hours, three wood screws, two pieces of moleskin and a laser tool. The next step will be to select a few negatives with which to work. First of all the selected negatives will be scanned. The scanned images will be adjusted using computer programs and then printed. These digital prints will be compared with silver prints produced in the darkroom. This will be a check on both analog and digital photography. Off to the negative files while the scanner warms up. Check back to see what happens next. (click on image to enlarge)

Darkroom Update 2

Lower photograph gives an overall view of the "dry corner" of the darkroom. Two tables and a set of shelves make up the base of the corner. On top -from right to left-paper cutter, enlarger, enlarger head control unit, printing timer, static brush, two paper safes - 8x10 and 11x14 - ending with shelves holding misc. items. On the left side the shelves holding more misc.items including chemicals and empty bottles. Upper image shows in some detail the enlarger, control for the enlarger head, printing timer, static brush and paper safes. Once again - after 10 years of storage - everything works. Only one small problem - the enlarger needs to be aligned. Not surprising in that it was broken down, packed in separate boxes and now has been reassembled. Check back in a few days for the next update. (click on images to enlarge)

Darkroom update 1

Two weeks and two projects finished. First, a sink has been installed and plumbing is completed. On the right is a print washer-for the final wash, next over is a first print washer-sitting on top of the edge of the sink. There is a water temperature is control -on the wall centered above the sink. On the left side -small black rectangle- is a print time and temperature control unit. Storage is on the shelves below the sink.
Secondly, after some ten days-the room can now be made light proof. This required that the entire basement be made light proof. Not an easy task but now done. The timers, print washers, temperature control unit,trays, and other miscellaneous equipment-while not in use for some ten years-all work with no problems. The wet side of the darkroom is now complete. The next bit of work will be getting the dry side setup and working. Check back for an update. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Rock Solid

Richmond storefront church offering comida gratis hoy (free meal today) at 4:30 pm. (click on image to enlarge)
This will be the last post for at least two weeks. I am going to spend the time setting up an analog photographic darkroom. For the last ten years all photography has been digital-cameras, computers, scanners and ink jet printers. I have not worked in a wet darkroom for some ten years. The time will be spent unpacking the equipment, setting up the room and recalling/relearning my darkroom skills. Almost all the chemicals and photographic paper that I previously used are not manufactured today. This will be an adventure - almost as if I were starting over -with an unknown end. Check back to learn how it turned out.

Back Home in Indiana: Burdge

North Manchester (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana : Union Trust Company

North Manchester bank building all dressed up and ready to be used. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: North Manchester

Tranter Paper next door to "Where You Come to Be". (click on image to enlarge)

Back home in Indiana: North Manchester

"Where You Come To Be" in North Manchester. The town - with a population of around 6,000 - was named "Small Town America" by ABC's Good Morning America. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Lodge Sign

Lodge sign and flag-except for basketball, what could be more Indiana? (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Morristown

Morristown is a town in Shelby County with a population of less then 1200. Takes about thirty minutes to drive from Morristown to Indianapolis. (click on image to enlarge)

Lost in the Midwest: Eldorado

It's harvest time in the Midwest and grain elevators are running at full speed. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Arlington

The closed and boarded I.O.O.F. Block 1902 is one of the few buildings in Arlington. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Old Timers

Arlington is an unincorporated town in Rush County. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Storefront

Charlottesville again. The columns of this building are iron. They are decorative rather than supportive. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Push

Locked door in Charlottesville. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Charlottesville

On the right is the post office for the unincorporated town of Charlottesville. The other two storefronts are empty and unused. As the next few postings will show, the storefront on the left turns out to be rather interesting. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Gus's Cafe

Along another street in Carthage is Gus's Cafe. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Carthage

Carthage, IN, with a population of less than 1000, was named for Carthage, NC. Along a main street there is the Tumble Inn on the right and an open/operating bank on the left. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Economy

Economy has a population of about 200. There are only 6 streets in the town. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Gaston American Legion

Gaston is a town in Delaware County. The population is a bit over 1000. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Pepsi

Along a main street in Dunkirk - across the street from the rusty car - is this abandoned gas station. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Plymouth Of Dunkirk

Yes, it's an Plymouth - not made anymore. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Dunkirk

Something a bit different. No streets/buildings/storefronts. Just the hood of an old rusty car. Can you identify the manufacturer? If not, then check tomorrow's post. (click on image to enlarge)

Richmond Wall III

Yes-another wall! Yes-another lens/camera test! This time it's the highlight detail that a lens and camera combination produces. Seems to be under control and the lens/camera remains in the bag. (click on image to enlarge)

Richmond Wall II

Another lens test with brick walls/writing. While sharpness is good, color is a bit unsaturated. This is easy to correct in post processing. (click on image to enlarge)

Richmond Wall

Brick walls mean testing some equipment. Checking out a wide angle lens to see if it is a keeper. It is! (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Albany Door

You know you are in the Midwest when ........... (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Albany Bank

Building - right corner - once housed an Albany bank. It now stands empty and unused. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Hard Times

Here in Albany, as elsewhere in the Midwest, times are hard. A center of town church is offering a free meal. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Albany Lions

Service clubs are big in the Midwest. Here in Albany the curbs and sidewalks are painted with the Lions logo. (click on image to enlarge)

Back Home in Indiana: Albany

Albany is a town in Delaware County with a population of less than 2400. (click on image to enlarge)